Is it possible to prepare for every emergency, stacked like a disaster Jenga? Patrick L. Riley would argue it’s a tall order. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an electrical fire destroyed his home and exposed a lapsed insurance policy. Riley’s battle with insurance companies and reliance on support networks is a lesson in resilience and the importance of solid financial planning. His story also underscores that the standard three to six months of emergency savings may not cut it—especially for those in communities where fair wages are still a struggle.

Riley, an award-winning journalist, multi-media personality, and author, is known for his work on BET, NBC, Black News Channel, and TV-One. He spent 13 years as a freelancer and senior field producer for The Oprah Winfrey Show and authored "That's What Friends Are For: On the Women Who Inspired Me."

Hosts and husbands of Living Not So Fabulously, David & John Auten-Schneider, dive into real money stories with activists, allies, artists, tech-gurus, and trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community to give you tangible takeaways to tackle your wallet woes.

For full episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, watch on our website or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is hosted by David & John Auten-Schneider, and created and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.